Wear parts for earth working equipment

ABSTRACT

A ground-engaging wear part for earth working equipment that includes a cap received in an opening to overlie a lock and/or sensor. The cap may engage a lock to facilitate movement of the lock or a lock component without needing to remove the cap, protect an underlying sensor and/or limit the ingress of fines.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to ground-engaging wear parts for earth working equipment.

BACKGROUND

In earth working activities (e.g., mining and construction), ground-engaging wear parts, such as teeth and shrouds, are commonly provided on all kinds of earth working equipment to protect the underlying equipment from undue wear and, in some cases, perform other functions such as breaking up the ground ahead of a digging edge. During use, the wear parts encounter loads and abrasive conditions, which can lead to wearing, damage and/or loss of the wear parts. If the wear parts are not timely replaced, they may wear beyond their expected life, which could result in lower production for the equipment, breakage or loss of the wear parts, unnecessary wear on underlying components and/or the equipment, and/or damage to downstream processing equipment (e.g., a crusher). Systems have been developed to monitor loss and wear, but mostly with only limited success.

Even when wear part replacement is properly timed, actual replacement can be difficult. Earthen fines can become impacted in and around the locks holding the ground-engaging wear parts in place. These fines can be hard and difficult to remove, and lead to time-consuming replacement operations and extended downtime for the equipment. Fines plugs have been fit into tool-receiving recesses in locks to try to reduce the negative impact of fines but with uneven results.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure pertains to ground-engaging wear parts for earth working equipment, and in particular, to improvements for the removal of worn wear parts and/or the monitoring of such wear parts during use.

In one embodiment, a cap engages a lock to facilitate movement of the lock or a lock component without needing to remove the cap. In one example, the cap includes a tool-receiving formation to enable movement of the cap, which when moved, in turn, moves the lock (or lock component), e.g., into a hold position where the lock secures the wear member to the earth working equipment and/or a release position where the lock releases the wear member.

In another embodiment, a lock for a ground-engaging wear member includes a body and a cap. The body has an inner portion for selectively contacting a base to secure the wear member to the base. The cap is attached to an outer portion of the body such that movement of the cap by a tool results in a corresponding movement of the body.

In another embodiment a ground-engaging wear part includes a wear member and a lock. The wear member includes a hole for receiving the lock. The lock includes a body having an inner portion for selectively contacting the base to secure the wear member to the base, and a cap including a tool-receiving formation to be engaged by a tool. The cap is removably attached to an outer portion of the body such that movement of the cap by the tool results in a corresponding movement of the body.

In another embodiment, a ground-engaging wear part includes (i) a wear member with a hole, (ii) a lock received in the hole for contacting the base to secure the wear member to the base, and (iii) a cap received in the hole outside of the lock to close or substantially close the hole to limit the accumulation of earthen fines in the hole.

In another embodiment, a sensor is positioned within an opening in the wear member and/or lock and a cap is fit over the opening to protect the sensor against damage during use in an earth working operation.

In another embodiment, a cap is provided to at least substantially close a lock opening in a wear member outward of the lock to inhibit the ingress of earthen fines into the wear part assembly. The cap can optionally include one or more retaining element to secure the cap to the lock or the wear member. The cap can be composed of a relatively tough and stiff plastic, but other materials are possible.

In another embodiment, a cap is secured to the lock through a coupling arrangement. Examples of such coupling arrangements can include, without limitation, snap rings, coupling wires, tabs, latches, adhesive, friction fit, or other retaining elements. The secure engagement of caps to locks can reduce the risk of cap loss and/or deformation, and/or can limit the ingress of fines into openings and features in the assembly including, without limitation, lock-receiving openings, tool-receiving cavities, threads, etc. The reduction of fines in and around the lock can ease and speed the withdrawal of the lock.

In another embodiment, a cap includes a sensor to detect one or more characteristic of the wear part and/or the operation of the earth working equipment during use. The inclusion of a sensor in the cap can improve (i) the strength and/or reliability of sending or receiving signals to or from a remote device (e.g., on the earth working equipment), (ii) disposal of the sensors, and/or (iii) flexibility in shipping wear parts with sensors.

The various features in the above-described embodiments can be used on their own or in combination with one or more of the features of the other embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a hydraulic excavator as an example of earth working equipment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an excavating bucket.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a digging edge of the bucket provided with ground-engaging wear parts.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the ground-engaging wear parts.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of the ground-engaging wear part.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lock for the ground-engaging wear part.

FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective view of the lock.

FIG. 8 is a partial, perspective view of the wear member of a ground-engaging wear part.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the wear part including a wear member, lock and cap.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pin from the lock with a cap attached.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the cap.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the pin and cap.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a pin and cap.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the second embodiment cap.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views of a third embodiment of a pin and cap.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the cap for the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the pin for the third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the pin and cap for the third embodiment

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view taken along line 20-20 in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the cap for the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a pin of a fourth embodiment.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are side views of the pin of the fourth embodiment, with the pin rotated ninety degrees in the two views.

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of a cap for the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a top view of a pin for a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view of a cap for the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a pin and cap.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the pin and cap for the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a partial, enlarged view of the pin and cap for the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a pin and cap.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the cap for the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view the pin for the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a pin and cap for an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a top view of the pin and cap for the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a cross sectional view of the pin and cap for the eighth embodiment taken along line 36-36 in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the pin and cap for the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a pin and cap of a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 39 is an exploded, perspective view of the pin and cap for the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a side view of the pin and cap for the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a cross sectional view taken along line 41-41 in FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a top view of a point.

FIG. 43 is a cross sectional view taken along line 43-43 in FIG. 42 with a cap and lock of a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a cap of the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a pin and cap of an eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 46 is a top view of the pin and cap of the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a side view of the pin and cap of the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the pin of the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a top view of the pin of the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 50-50 in FIG. 49.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the cap of the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 52 is a side view of the cap of the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a bottom view of the cap of the eleventh embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

he present disclosure pertains to ground-engaging wear parts for earth working equipment, to the monitoring of such wear parts, and/or to improving release of locks securing such wear parts to the equipment. Ground-engaging wear parts are commonly used on earth working equipment in mining, construction and other excavating and earthmoving operations. For ease of discussion and as an example, various features and embodiments are discussed herein in terms of a particular excavating tooth secured to a bucket. However, this example is not intended to be limiting, and the disclosed features and embodiments can be used in connection with a wide variety of earth working equipment including, for example, hydraulic excavators, cable shovels, face shovels, wheel loaders, dragline machines, dozers, rippers, dredge cutters, shearers, continuous miners, chutes, truck trays and the like, and with various kinds of wear parts including, for example, shrouds, runners, picks, other kinds of teeth, etc.

Relative terms such as front, rear, top, bottom and the like are used for convenience of discussion and are not intended to be limiting. The terms front or forward are generally used to indicate the usual direction of travel of the ground-engaging wear part relative to the earthen material during use (e.g., while digging), and upper or top are generally used as a reference to the surface over which the material generally passes when, for example, it is gathered into a bucket. Nevertheless, it is recognized that in the operation of various earth working equipment, the ground-engaging wear parts may be oriented in various ways, have different operations, and move in all kinds of directions during use.

In one embodiment, earth working equipment in the form of a mining excavator 1 is equipped with a bucket 3 for gathering earthen material in a digging operation (FIG. 1). The bucket 3 includes a digging edge 5, which is that portion of the equipment that leads the contact with the ground (FIGS. 1 and 2). Digging edge 5 generally includes a lip 6 welded into the bucket between the sidewalls 14. Wear parts in the form of teeth and/or shrouds are usually mounted along the lip. Multiple configurations of buckets are known and variations in bucket geometry exists. For example, the bucket may not have a top wall as in a dragline bucket, the bottom wall may be hinged as in a dipper bucket, or a portion of the side walls may be hinged as in a face shovel. The specific geometry of the bucket is not intended to be limiting as the features and embodiments of this disclosure can be used with various types of buckets. Further, the features of the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to use with buckets or excavating machines; embodiments of the invention can be used in association other kinds of ground-engaging wear parts and other kinds of earth working equipment.

As noted above, teeth and/or shrouds are often secured to the digging edge of a bucket to protect the digging edge, break up the ground ahead of the bucket, and gather material into the bucket. In the illustrated embodiment, a series of teeth 7 and shrouds 9 are secured along lip 6 (FIGS. 2-5). The illustrated teeth have a construction such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,243, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Tooth 7 includes an adapter 11 welded to lip 6, an intermediate adapter 13 mounted on adapter 11, and a point (also called a tip) 15 mounted on intermediate adapter 13. Intermediate adapter 13 includes a rearward-opening mounting cavity 22 to receive nose 23 of adapter 11, and point 15 includes a rearward-opening mounting cavity 18 to receive nose 17 of intermediate adapter 13. The front or working portion 19 of point 15 is formed as a bit to penetrate the ground. Locks 21 are used to secure point 15 to intermediate adapter 13, and intermediate adapter 13 to adapter 11. In this embodiment, the locks 21 are all the same but they could be different. One lock 21 is used to secure point 15 to intermediate adapter 13, and two locks 21, one on each side, to secure intermediate adapter 13 to adapter 11. Other tooth and lock constructions and/or arrangements are possible. The specific design of the wear part is not intended to be limiting as the features and embodiments of this disclosure can be used with other types of teeth and other kinds of ground-engaging wear parts.

Wear parts such as discussed above include one or more wear member, one or more base, and one or more lock to hold the components together. The wear member and base combinations are relative and dependent on the context. For instance, point 15 is a wear member that is supported by a base in the form of intermediate adapter 13. Similarly, intermediate adapter 13 is also a wear member that is supported by a base in the form of adapter 11. In other examples, a shroud is a wear member supported by a base in the form of a lip, a solid point is a wear member supported by a base in the form of a nose of a cast lip, a pick is a wear member supported by a base in the form of a pick holder (e.g., on a shearer drum), an adapter is a wear member supported by a base in the form of a lip or an arm of a cutter head, a runner is a wear member supported by a base secured to a bucket, chute or truck tray, and so on. These examples are not intended to be limiting and other combinations are possible. The bases can be welded or secured by mechanical means to the earth working equipment or other components. Wear parts as used herein can at times refer to wear members alone, wear members and locks in combination, and/or combinations of wear members, bases and locks. Earth working equipment as used herein can at times refer to various excavating or other earthmoving machines, the ground-engaging components of the machines such as buckets, cutter heads, shearer drums, etc., or both the machines and components in combination.

In considering one of the wear member/base assemblies in the illustrated example, wear part 7 includes a wear member 15, a base 13 and a lock 21. Wear member 15 has a lock opening 25 to receive a lock 21 to hold the wear member to the base. In this example, lock 21 includes a collar 27, a body or pin 28 and a clip 29 (FIGS. 6-8). Collar 27 has a threaded bore 30, and a coupling structure 31 to hold the collar in lock opening 25. In this example, coupling structure 31 includes projections 33 that are received in corresponding grooves 34 in lock opening 25 for a bayonet-type mounting of the collar in the lock opening, i.e., from inside cavity 18. Collar 27 can include a positioning flange 35. A clip 29 is inserted in opening 25 to prevent release of the collar from the lock opening. The collar could be secured in other ways. In this example, pin 28 includes a leading or inner end 37 to engage base 13, a threaded portion 39 to engage threads 40 in bore 30, and a trailing or outer end 41 with a tool-receiving formation 43 in the form of a hex cavity, though other cavity shapes or other tool receiving formations could be used. In this example, cavity 43 includes a recess 44 to enable better clearing out any fines in the cavity and/or to receive a monitoring device such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 2016/0237657, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Such a monitoring device can include one or more sensor for detecting at least one characteristic of the wear part and/or operation of the earth working equipment, a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting information concerning the detected characteristic(s), and a battery; other components or arrangements are possible. Recess 44 is positioned in lieu of one of the bearing surfaces in the hex-shaped cavity 43. The recess could be omitted (such a change would require the latch 45 in the illustrated example to be otherwise secured and/or positioned), or other recesses are possible. In use, the pin is threaded into the collar. In this embodiment, the pin includes a resiliently-biased latch 45 that is received into a pair of spaced openings 47, 49 in bore 30. Receipt of latch 45 into a first or outer opening 47 positions the pin 28 in a release position where the leading end 37 is free of base 13. In this position, wear member 15 can be installed on and/or removed from the base. The pin, of course, can be removed from collar 27 to remove wear member 15, and/or can be installed into collar 27 after wear member 15 is fit onto base 13. Receipt of latch 45 in the second or inner opening 49 positions the pin 28 in a hold position where the pin engages base 13 to hold wear member 15 on the base. In the hold position, leading end 37 of pin 28 is received in a hole 51 in base 13. This is one example wear part; numerous variations are possible.

In some operations, earthen fines can become impacted in lock opening 25, cavity 43, hole 51, and/or threads 39, 40. These fines can become a hard mass, can be difficult to remove or clear out, and/or can make release of the lock difficult. For example, picks or other tools can be used to remove fines from, e.g., the lock opening 25 and/or tool-receiving cavity 43 to enable a removal tool to engage and move pin 28. Small, pliable elastomeric fines plugs (not shown) have in the past been fit into tool-engaging cavities (e.g., matingly fit into a hex cavity 43) in an effort to keep it clean for the subsequent receipt of a tool. However, since conventional fines plugs are small, pliable and secured by frictional resistance, the results have been uneven as the plugs can be lost, deformed or ineffective in stopping the ingress of fines. Further, since conventional plugs are secured solely in the tool-receiving cavity 43, they have not had any effect in stopping the collection of fines in lock opening 25, hole 51 or threads 39, 40. Conventional plugs are fit into the tool-receiving opening and, therefore, must be installed after the lock is installed in the wear part; they cannot be installed ahead of time as in certain embodiments of the present caps. The ingress of fines can inhibit the insertion of removal tools and/or resist movement of the lock (e.g., rotation of the pin), making withdrawal of the lock (e.g., withdrawal of leading end 37 from hole 51) for release of the wear member difficult even when a tool can engage the cavity 43 or other tool-receiving formation.

In different embodiments of the invention, the wear part includes a cap in the lock opening outside of the lock to block or limit the ingress of fines and/or protect a sensor in the lock. The cap can be secured to the lock or the wear member and can be removably or permanently attached. The cap can close or substantially close the lock opening. The cap can fill and/or block the tool-receiving formation with or without closing or substantially closing the lock opening. Blocking the ingress and accumulation of fines eliminates or reduces (i) the time needed to clear the fines out of the lock opening and/or tool-receiving cavity, and/or (ii) the deleterious effect fines can have in resisting unthreading or release of the lock from the hold position. Reducing or eliminating the accumulation of fines in the lock opening can also improve the wireless transmission of a sensor contained in or near the lock as fines can have a deleterious effect on the wireless transmission. Accordingly, the negative effect of the fines can be reduced. The cap can also protect a sensor from damage. A variety of different style caps are disclosed herein with varying sizes (e.g., closing or not closing the lock opening), different features (e.g., snap rings, wires, lock rings, friction fit, etc.), and varying functions (e.g., driving the lock, protecting a sensor, etc.). While these different features have been disclosed herein with respect to specific examples, the various sizes, features and functions can generally mix and match and be used in different combinations than disclosed.

In one embodiment, cap 55 is secured to the outer portion or trailing end 41 of pin 28, and closes (or substantially closes) the open portion of lock opening 25 outside of the lock (i.e., between the lock and the exterior surface of the wear member) (FIGS. 9-12). In this way, the cap can block or limit the collection of fines in lock opening 25 and cavity 43, and the ingress of fines through lock opening 25 and into threads 39, 40 and/or hole 51. The cap can fill the entire lock opening or only fill part of the lock opening when new. Nevertheless, the cap could also be less and even substantially less than the lock opening. Its projection into the lock opening can still limit the buildup of fines in the lock opening (i.e., because the cap is already present in this space), can still protect the sensor (if present) in the lock, and/or can still inhibit fines from filling a tool-receiving opening and/or damaging an external tool-receiving formation even if the cap does not close or fill the lock opening so as to inhibit fines from entering the lock opening. Cap 55 can also protect the trailing end 41 of the lock during use of the earth working equipment, such as from impact by a rock or wearing through engagement with abrasive earthen materials, though this is usually a secondary concern (or not a concern) as locks are commonly made of hardened steel. When installed and/or during use, the cap may be flush or recessed in lock opening 25. While cap 55 can extend outside lock opening 25, the outer end would wear down to be at least flush with the wear member during use. When wear member 15 needs to be removed, cap 55 can be removed from the pin to expose the tool-receiving cavity 43 for engagement by a suitable tool. Withdrawal of pin 28 from hole 51 can be quicker and easier due to the cap limiting the ingress of fines into the assembly.

In this embodiment, cap 55 includes a body 57 with an inner end 59 and an outer end 61. Body 57 preferably has substantially the same diameter as lock opening 25, i.e., with the perimeter wall 58 of body 57 set against or close to the side wall 60 of lock opening 25, to close or substantially close the lock opening, and thereby limit the collection of fines therein and/or the ingress of fines through lock opening 25. The perimeter wall 58 and side wall 60 are in this example circular in shape, though other shapes are possible. Inner end 59 of cap 55 includes a cavity 67 to receive the trailing end 41 of pin 28. In this example, a snap ring 69 is embedded or otherwise secured to or by a rim 71 around cavity 67. The snap ring 69 cooperates with and engages a shoulder 73 on the trailing end 41 of pin 28 to secure cap 55 to pin 28. The snap ring resists loss and deformation of the cap during use to better protect the assembly from the ingress of fines. Other coupling arrangements could be used to secure the cap to the lock including, e.g., other kinds of fasteners or a friction fit. The trailing end 41 preferably includes a bevel 75 adjacent shoulder 73 to permit easier installation of cap 55 on pin 28. The cap can be manually pressed onto the trailing end of pin 28, but a tool could be used or required. The cap can be pried from the pin to remove the cap from the pin when release or removal of the pin is desired, i.e., to expose cavity 43. Other removal procedures are possible. An optional sensor 86 could be provided in cap 55 (FIG. 11).

In addition to overlying the lock to inhibit the ingress of fines and/or protect a sensor and/or lock from damage, the cap can also engage the lock to move the lock without requiring removal of the cap. For example, the cap can be engaged by a tool to move the cap (or hand turned), which in turn, engages the lock to drive the lock to a hold position where the lock secures the wear member to the base. The cap could optionally also facilitate reverse movement to a release position or removal of the lock so the wear member can be removed from and/or installed on the base. Alternatively, as noted above, the cap can be removed from the lock to permit withdrawal of the lock. Accordingly, the cap can be secured to the lock prior to assembly of the wear member on the base (e.g., in the factory or by a dealer) without requiring removal of the cap to move the lock to secure the wear member on the base—though removal of the cap is possible for these operations.

In one embodiment, cap 55 a includes a central projection 77 extending from inner end 59 of the cap (FIGS. 13 and 14). In this example, the projection has a hex cross section to correspond to the shape of the hex cavity 43. The projection could have other shapes to engage whatever tool-receiving formation is provided in or on the lock. In this example, the projection need not mate with the hex cavity, but could have other shapes provided it engages the cavity 43 for turning pin 28. In this embodiment, projection 77 has bearing surfaces 78 to bear against the tool bearing surfaces 80 in cavity 43. The projection 77 is surrounded by a relief cavity 67 for receiving the trailing end 41 of pin 28, a rim 71, and snap ring 69 to engage shoulder 73 on pin 28 as in cap 55. Other coupling arrangements could be used including, e.g., other fasteners or a friction fit. The insertion of projection 77 into cavity 43 provides an additional safeguard for keeping cavity 43 free of earthen fines. As an alternative, projection 77 could simply be provided as an additional barrier to fines entering into cavity 43 without the requisite strength to turn pin 28 for adjustment, removal and/or installation. A tool-receiving formation 79, in this case a hex cavity (though other shapes and/or kinds of formations, such as a hex head, could be used), is provided on outer end 61 of the cap to facilitate engagement and turning of the combined cap and pin by a tool such as a torque wrench; i.e., the torque wrench engages hex cavity 79 in cap 55 a to turn the cap, which, on account of projection 77 in hex cavity 43, results in the cap turning pin 28. The turning of pin 28 can move the pin to the hold position where the leading end 37 is received in hole 51 in the base. Cap 55 a can be removed from pin 28 when withdrawal of the pin from hole 51 is needed or, if not too worn, can be used to move the pin to the release position. In another embodiment, the projection could be threaded to engage threads in the tool-receiving cavity in the pin in lieu of the snap ring or other fastener (e.g., if only using the cap to move the pin to the hold position). The threaded projection could be of the same or different material than the remainder of the body of the cap. Though a rotational movement is used with the illustrated lock, the cap could be fit with a different lock and facilitate other kinds of motions. When a sensor is used, the cap is preferably composed of a dielectric material. The cap is preferably composed of a relatively stiff non-metal material such as urethane or polycarbonate to better resist the ingress of fines, possess sufficient strength to move the lock, and/or improve wireless transmission of sensor signals; nevertheless, plastics or other materials suitable to accomplish the desired purposes could also be used.

In another embodiment, cap 55 a′ is the same as cap 55 a except projection 77 a is a downwardly projecting post that is offset from the center of the cap and significantly smaller than the hex cavity 43 a in pin 28 a (FIGS. 15-21). The offset post is received in a cavity 43 a that is offset from the central axis and bears against the sidewalls 80 of cavity 43 a to rotate pin 28 a, e.g., for movement of the pin from the release position to the hold position (or vice versa), when cap 55 a is rotated. The smaller projection enables easier installation of the cap onto the lock. Recess or pocket 44 a in pin 28 a is provided to receive a monitoring device 82 for detecting at least one characteristic of the wear part and/or operation of the equipment, and wirelessly transmitting such information to a remote device.

In another embodiment, cap 55 b includes a coupling wire 81 (e.g., a C-clip) embedded in or otherwise secured to rim 71 to engage a groove 83 on the trailing end 41 of pin 28 b (FIGS. 22-25). The coupling wire engages the groove to hold cap 55 b to the pin. Cap 55 b is optionally provided with a projection 77 b that is received in cavity 43 b in the pin. Cavity 43 b and projection 77 b have different shapes than cavity 43 and projection 77 in cap 55 a; a wide variety of other shapes could be used as well. Projection 77 b is only partially received into cavity 43 b, though full insertion is possible. In this example, the projection 77 b and upper end 78 b of cavity 43 are mostly circular. A monitoring device could be provided in cavity 43 which projection 77 b would overlie. Projection 77 b provides additional protection against the ingress of fines; projection 77 b could optionally be used to drive pin 28 as well.

In another embodiment, cap 55 c includes tabs 85 projecting radially inward from rim 71 c (FIGS. 26 and 27). Rim 71 c has an outer wall 72 that includes tabs 85, and an inner wall 74 that defines a groove 76. The trailing end 41 c of pin 28 c define outward extensions 75 c of the bevel 75. Extensions 75 c only extend partially around the perimeter to define gaps 84. Tabs 85 are initially aligned with gaps 84 and then rotated so that extensions 75 c fit into groove 76. Cap 55 c could be retained to pin 28 c by friction, adhesive, fasteners or other means. Stops can be incorporated so that when the cap is installed into the lock, and the cap bottoms out on the stops and can then be used to drive in the cap in a clockwise direction. Any counterclockwise torque on the cap would then uninstall the cap.

In another embodiment, cap 55 d includes a lock ring 91 secured around the outside of the body of the cap (FIGS. 28-30). The lock ring could be secured to the body by molding, adhesive, fasteners or other means. The lock ring could include the above-discussed retaining elements (i.e., snap ring, coupling wire, radial tabs or threads) or include other retaining elements. In the illustrated embodiment, lock ring 91 includes downwardly projecting tabs 93 bent inwardly for receipt in L-shaped grooves 95 on the outside of the trailing end 41 d of the pin for a bayonet-type connection. Cap 55 d includes a latch element 97 provided on lock ring 91 to secure cap 55 d to pin 28 d. In this example, latch element 97 is an elongate, resilient member, extending along the bottom perimeter edge 99 of the lock ring 91. When latch element 97 aligns with a slot 101 in pin 28 d, it snaps into the slot such that an abutting edge 103 of latch element 97 sets against a complementary stop 105 on pin 28 d to prevent reverse turning and release of cap 55 d. Cap 55 d could also optionally have a projection to fit within cavity 43 as a safeguard against fines ingress and/or to turn the pin with the cap attached.

In another embodiment, cap 55 e includes a generally U-shaped lower rim 111 around the perimeter on inner end 59 e (FIGS. 31-33). Rim 111 includes an inward flange 113 to define a groove 115. The flanges are received in a complementary groove 117 defined in trailing end 41 e of pin 28 e to secure the cap to the pin. In this example, the cap is fit onto the pin prior to assembly of the pin into the collar to accommodate the lateral movement needed to mount the cap on the pin. The sidewalls of lock opening 25 can prevent the cap from coming off the pin. Optionally, an adhesive, fastener or other means could be used to secure the cap to the pin. The engagement of the free ends 119 of rim 111 against the ends 121 of groove 117 can enable the cap to drive the pin into and/or out of the collar. In this example, cap 55 e is provided with an offset tool-receiving cavity 79 e, though a centered tool-receiving cavity can be used. In this example, the tool-receiving cavity 79 e in the cap is aligned with tool-receiving cavity 43 e in pin 28 e, but it need not be.

In another embodiment, cap 55 f is bolted to pin 28 f (FIGS. 34-37). In this example, two holes 141 are defined in cap 55 f, and two threaded holes 143 are included in pin 28 f aligned with holes 141 to receive bolts 145 to hold the cap to the pin. In this example, a sensor 147 is installed in the opening in the lock. Sensor 147 has a top flange 149 that fits in relief cavity 151 in trailing end 41 f of pin 28 f, and a downwardly or inwardly projecting stem 153 that fits in cavity 43 f in pin 28 f. The cavity 43 f and stem 153 are offset from the center of the pin and cap, but they could be centered. In this example, stem is circular and sized to be received in hex cavity 43 f. Notches 155 are formed in flange 149 to receive bolts 145 to position and secure sensor 147. A square tool-receiving cavity 79 f is provided in outer end 61 f of cap 55 f.

In another embodiment, cap 55 g includes an outer portion 161 including a tool-receiving cavity 79 g, and an inner portion 163 that is laterally smaller than outer portion 161 to define a shoulder 165 where the two portions meet (FIGS. 38-41). Inner portion 163 fits within an opening 167 defined by an outwardly projecting perimeter wall 169 on trailing end 41 g of pin 28 g. An adhesive is used to secure inner portion 163 in opening 167, but a fastener or other means could be used. A gap 171 is defined in wall 169 to receive a key 173 on cap 55 g to drive the pin when the cap is turned. Nevertheless, a projection or other coupling means could be used to move the pin when the cap is moved. A pry hole 175 is included in key 173 to facilitate removal of the cap from the pin.

In another embodiment, cap 55 h is secured to the wear member, i.e., to the wall 180 defining lock opening 25 h (FIG. 43), instead of to the pin or other part of the lock. In this example, cap 55 h includes a latch member 181 with ends 183 that project laterally outward for receipt into notches 185 defined in wall 180 but could be secured in other ways (e.g., fasteners, adhesive, friction fit). The cap closes or substantially closes lock opening 25 h to inhibit the ingress of fines into the assembly.

In another embodiment, pin 28 i includes a leading or inner portion 203 and a trailing or outer portion 205. A head 207 is formed at one end, on the trailing portion 205, and a shank 201 with threads extends from the head 207 to the inner portion 203. An opening 209 is formed in pin 28 i to open in the outer face 211 of head 207. The opening includes an inner section 213 to contain a monitoring device, and an outer section 217 to mount a cap 55 i. In this example, inner section 213 includes a first pocket 219 to receive an electronic sensor, and a second pocket 223 to mount the latch 45. Other kinds of sensors and arrangements for securing the sensor in the pin could be used. The sensor can be secured in various ways including adhesive, press fit, fastener, etc. The outer section 217 includes a shoulder 225 that extends around the perimeter of the opening 209 where the inner and outer sections 213, 217 meet. Along with receiving cap 55 i, outer section 217 is also configured to receive a tool for turning pin 28 i. In this example, outer section includes a first set of corners 227 a-d for receiving a square tool, and a second set of corners 229 a-b for securing the square tool in an alternative position. Other tool receiving formations could be used.

Cap 55 i includes a head 245 to set at least partially over the outer face 211 of the pin 28 i, and a stem 247 to be received in the opening 209 in the pin. In this embodiment, the stem 247 fits snugly into opening 209 to hold the cap to the pin by frictional resistance but other coupling arrangements (such as discussed above or otherwise) could be used to secure the cap to the pin. Head 245 has a hex configuration to be received by a tool but other tool engaging formations could be provided (including, e.g., a hex socket in the cap). Stem 247 has an inner face 249 that sets against shoulder 225 to support the cap above the sensor and help protect the sensor from damage. A recess 251 can be formed in the middle portion of inner face 249 to minimize the risk of contact between the sensor and the cap during use, but the recess is not necessary. In this example, stem 247 also includes projections 253 that are received into corners 229 a, 229 b to provide additional surface area for supporting the cap over the sensor—i.e., the projections increase the surface area of inner face 249 to set against shoulder 225. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections 253 taper (i.e., reduce in size) as they extend toward head 245 to provide clearance to insert a pry tool for removing the cap from the pin. A pair of gaps 255 are preferably defined in the outer portion 205 to facilitate insertion of a pry tool. Once the cap is attached, it need not be removed, though it could be if desired. To operate the lock, a tool can engage and turn the hex configuration of head 245 of cap 55 i, which in turn, will turn pin 28 i due to the receipt of stem 247 in opening 209. Gaps 255 could also be engaged by a tool to turn pin 28 i without engaging or removing cap 55 i.

The caps in the various embodiments can be made from a variety of different materials including for example plastics, urethanes, thermosets, or metals. If a sensor is included in the lock, the caps are preferably made of a dielectric material to lessen the negative effect on the wireless transmission. As examples only, the caps could be formed of urethane, polycarbonate or ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMVV). Tabs, locking rings or other portions of the various caps, if included, could be composed of a metal or other harder material if desired. The caps can be coupled to the locks to effect movement of the locks or they could simply overlie the locks to limit the ingress of fines into the assembly and/or protect the sensors. Although locks with threaded pins are discussed above, caps could be provided to overlie and/or attach to locks having different constructions and/or different movements (i.e., a non-threaded adjustment). Caps with the capacity to move the locks can, as discussed above, move the lock to or from a unique hold position, but could also be used to move a lock to any of a number of hold positions and/or to tighten the fit of a lock in a wear part. The locks can consist of a pair of movable pieces, such as the pin and collar discussed above, or could be a single member or include any number of pieces. The various coupling arrangements, tool-receiving formations, etc. described in one embodiment could be used in other embodiments. The embodiments discussed above are not intended to be limiting, but rather are provided as examples. Other connections, shapes and materials than described for the various embodiments are possible.

A monitoring device(s) can be included in the cap in lieu of or in addition to a sensor(s) in the lock (FIG. 11). The sensors can be molded into the caps, fit into recesses in the caps (and filled or not filled with a resin, polymer or the like), or secured in other ways. The inclusion of sensors in the caps enables the sensors to be close to the exterior of the wear part and may provide a strong and reliable signal for a remote device mounted, for example, on the machine (or elsewhere) to receive. The caps can be readily removed at the end-of-life of the wear part to enable easy disposal of the sensors. The worn caps with the sensors could be disposed of entirely in view of their relatively small size (especially if worn during use) or the sensor can be removed from the cap prior to disposal. Including the sensors in the caps instead of the locks or wear members can increase the available options for shipping the wear parts. The caps are relatively small and light-weight and can be shipped separately. Further, if a torch is used to remove a lock and/or wear part, the cap with a sensor could be first removed.

Monitoring devices in the lock or cap may generally include one or more electronic sensor for identifying characteristics of the wear part (e.g., part ID, presence, condition, usage and/or performance of the ground engaging product) and/or operation of the earth working equipment (e.g., number of digging cycles, time per each cycle, etc.), a communication device (e.g., a transmitter and/or receiver) for communicating information to and/or from the monitoring sensor to or from a remote device, and a battery. These monitoring devices can include different components working together or they may be combined into the same component. Monitoring devices also could have other constructions. The monitoring devices can include multiple sensors for redundancy or sensing other characteristics (e.g., high impact events, digging cycles, etc.), storage mediums for holding data (e.g., the part ID), a GPS device, a microprocessor for processing data or other information, etc. A monitoring device may also be a passive system without a transmitter or battery.

The example locks 21 disclosed herein are secured to the wear member in the factory, which can then be shipped, stored, installed and used as an integrated assembly (i.e., with the wear member and lock combined). Nevertheless, there are many wear parts in use where the locks are not installed into the wear members in the factory but rather are installed after the wear member is mounted on the base. Regardless of whether the locks are secured to the wear members in the factory or later, the caps can be secured to the locks at various times including, for example, in the factory at the time of manufacture, in a warehouse or store of a distributor, dealer or supplier, or at the worksite (e.g., a mine or construction site). If the caps are attached to the locks in the factory, they too can be shipped, stored, installed and used as an integral assembly with the wear members and locks, or as a combination lock and cap separate from the wear member. If the caps are able to move the locks, they need not be removed at any time, though they could be removed at any time. If the caps are not able to move the locks, the caps can be removed for adjustment of the locks from holding the wear member in place to permitting release of the wear member (or vice versa). Following movement of the lock, a cap can be reinstalled on the lock if use of the wear part is to continue.

The use of removable caps provides the option of inserting and/or removing the monitoring devices from the lock at any time. For example, the monitoring devices or sensors may include batteries that are to be shipped by a different mode than the wear parts and/or locks themselves. In such cases, the monitoring devices could be installed by the dealer or at the worksite. As another example, the caps could be removed for separate disposal of the monitoring devices when the wear part is removed. 

1. A lock for securing a ground-engaging wear part to earth working equipment, the lock comprising: a body having an inner portion for selectively contacting a base of the earth working equipment to secure a wear member to the base, and an outer portion; and a cap attached to the outer portion of the body such that movement of the cap results in a corresponding movement of the body.
 2. The lock of claim 1 wherein the body is a threaded pin and the cap is attached to cause the pin to turn when engaged by a tool.
 3. The lock of claim 2 wherein the body includes an opening and a sensor in the opening, and the cap overlies the sensor.
 4. The lock of claim 3 wherein the body includes a shoulder in the opening against which the cap sets.
 5. The lock of claim 4 wherein the cap includes a bearing surface to contact the shoulder and a central recess adjacent the shoulder to overlie the sensor.
 6. The lock of claim 1 wherein the body includes an opening and the cap is received in the opening.
 7. The lock of claim 6 wherein the cap includes a stem received in the opening, and a head overlying the opening.
 8. The lock of claim 1 including a sensor contained in the body, wherein the cap overlies the sensor.
 9. The lock of claim 1 wherein the cap includes a tool-receiving formation to be engaged by a tool to move the cap and thereby move the body.
 10. The lock of claim 1 wherein the body includes a tool-receiving formation to be engaged by a tool for moving the body when the cap is attached.
 11. The lock of claim 1 wherein the cap includes a sensor.
 12. The lock of claim 1 wherein the cap is composed of a non-metal material.
 13. The lock of claim 1 wherein the cap is composed of a dielectric material.
 14. The lock of claim 1 wherein the cap is removably attached to the body.
 15. The lock of claim 1 including at least one fastener to secure the cap to the body.
 16. A lock for securing a ground-engaging wear part to earth working equipment, the lock comprising: a body having an inner portion for selectively contacting a base of the earth working equipment to secure a wear member to the base, an outer portion with a recess; a sensor contained in the recess in the body; a cap received in the recess in the body outward of the sensor to protect the sensor; and at least one fastener to secure the cap to the body.
 16. The lock of claim 15 wherein the cap is attached to the body such that movement of the cap results in a corresponding movement of the body.
 17. The lock of claim 15 wherein the cap includes a tool-receiving formation to be engaged by a tool to move the cap and thereby move the body.
 18. The lock of claim 15 wherein the cap is removably attached to the body.
 19. A ground-engaging wear part for earth working equipment comprising a wear member and a lock, the wear member including a hole for receiving the lock, and the lock including (i) a body having an inner portion for selectively contacting a base to secure the wear member to the base, and an outer portion, and (ii) a cap attached to the outer portion of the body such that movement of the cap results in a corresponding movement of the body.
 20. The wear part of claim 19 wherein the body is a threaded pin and the cap is attached to cause the pin to turn when engaged by a tool.
 21. The wear part of claim 20 wherein the lock includes a sensor and the cap overlies the sensor.
 22. The wear part of claim 19 wherein the body includes an opening and the cap is received into the opening.
 23. The wear part of claim 22 wherein the cap includes a stem received in the opening, and a head overlying the opening.
 24. The wear part of claim 19 including a sensor contained in the body, wherein the cap overlies the sensor.
 25. The wear part of claim 19 wherein the cap includes a sensor.
 26. The wear part of claim 19 wherein the cap is composed of a non-metal material.
 27. The wear part of claim 19 wherein the cap is composed of a dielectric material.
 28. The wear part of claim 19 wherein the cap at least substantially closes the hole in the wear member outside of the lock.
 29. A cap for attachment to a lock for securing a wear member to earth working equipment, the cap comprising: a body adapted to be received in a lock opening of a wear member, the body including a tool-receiving formation to be engaged by a tool for moving the cap; and a shank extending from the body, the shank having a smaller width than the body for mating receipt within a recess in the lock and possessing sufficient strength to move the lock when a tool moves the cap.
 30. The cap of claim 29 wherein the shank possesses sufficient strength to turn the lock when a tool moves the cap.
 31. The cap of claim 29 including at least one fastener to secure the cap to the lock. 